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Police draw personnel into Jakarta for election result announcement

Fadli and Djemi Amnifu

The Jakarta Post

Batam and Kupang /
Sat, May 18, 2019 / 06:23 pm

Hundreds of Riau Islands Police personnel prepare to depart from Hang Nadim Airport in Batam on Friday night to Jakarta to help secure the capital on Wednesday, when the general election results will be announced. (JP/Fadli)

The National Police have been mobilizing additional personnel from the regions to anticipate potential violence in the capital in connection with the announcement of the general election results.

Police have also arrested several individuals suspected of plotting a terrorist attack that was to be carried out during a planned street protest at the General Elections Commission (KPU) building in Jakarta on May 22, the day when the KPU is to announce the official results of the presidential and legislative elections.

Supporters of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto said they would take to the streets if the poll body announced that the incumbent, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, had won the election.

The Prabowo camp has claimed that its own data show Prabowo to be the winner.

“They will be under the command of the Jakarta Police,” Andap said as he saw off the officers at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam.

He said the troops would remain in the capital until Thursday.

Andap said security in the islands regency itself would not be compromised by the mobilization, because his personnel had been in contact with the groups that would potentially protest the election result.

At least 32,000 police and military personnel are set to be deployed across Jakarta to prevent any unrest, particularly terrorism, on Wednesday. The National Police have advised the public against joining the expected rally.

The United States Embassy in Jakarta issued a security alert on Friday, warning its citizens of a “heightened risk of terrorism in connection with the finalization of election results”.

Police from Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara sent 500 personnel to Jakarta on Friday, the second batch from the province that had already dispatched 200 personnel on Tuesday. All of the personnel were moved on commercial flights.

“I order you to refrain from violence while dealing with the protesters and avoid any acts that may endanger yourself or the force,” East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Insp. Gen. Raja Erizman said in his speech during Friday’s ceremony to dispatch the officers.

He also told the officers to remain under the command of the Jakarta Police.